Dear Struggling Disciple,
You might not believe this, but I’ve been watching after you for a long time. And lately, I’ve really been working overtime to protect you from danger. But I can’t protect you if you leave my flock.

Furthermore, I heard you tell some of your friends that you feel that God is a long way away from you right now. Well, whose fault is that? Every time I inch closer to you, you run further away. So stop running and trust me that I always tell the truth. And if I say that your life can be put back together better than it ever was, you should believe me.

And oh, by the way, as a matter of fact, I was disappointed in what you did. In fact, I was livid. But now that you’ve made a move toward me instead of away from me, I want to let you know how to avoid falling into the pit the evil one dug for you again.

To begin with, why don’t you try to remember what I said when I was on earth about folks in your condition:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

That seems like a good place to start because I know for a fact that your burdens are so heavy that you can barely stand it. How well does the word “weary” describe where you are right now? You’re tired. You’re fed up with the battle. You want to throw in the towel. Don’t do it. Give me a chance to work on your heart. I’ve done some amazing things for folks before. Besides, you aren’t the worst case I’ve ever worked with.

Even though you think you’ve messed up your life permanently, and even though you can’t see how it could ever be any better, you need to recognize that thought as a lie. And that lie didn’t just pop up in your brain from nowhere. Our adversary, the father of lies, put it there, so refuse to believe it and come to me. Come to me weary! Come to me burdened! Come to me sinful and broken and filled with doubt and confusion. My father and I can handle it! I promise. Besides, that’s the only way you can come to me. If you were not a broken, sad, confused, weary, burdened person, I wouldn’t take you.

You look like a good candidate to me. Go ahead! Trust me! Place all your burdens and anxiety on me. I can handle it – I promise.
Love,
Jesus